Drink carts or Drink rails? (1 Viewer)

[PokerNoob]

I've seen now a few opinions of each. Pro's and con's, and here is are my thoughts.

NO DRINKS OR FOOD ON THE TABLE! I've spent too much time and money on these tables and I'd be damned if some drunk idiot comes in and stains my expensive playing surface, or even worse, the rail. We all have those stains that just eat away at you every time you use your table. You sit there and wonder "do other people see that?". Countless hours spent cleaning off oil and caked on crumbs.

That being said. I've gone with no drink holders and a no food/drink policy ON the table. Instead I purchased half a dozen of these small "laptop stands" off of Amazon that have been outstanding. Height adjustable (not needed but nice to have if you use these other than game nights), large enough surface for 2 people to share one stand, and very easy to roll from hard surfaces onto carpet rugs without disturbing its contents. No, they don't come with drink holders, but that's nothing a hole saw and dual size stainless steel drop in drink holders cant fix.

If your like me and value your hard work. Your looking for that safer option, then check these carts out. Opinions?

Link below

Amazon Drink Carts
or
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004G91RK8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o02__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

P.S. I'll post a couple pictures later.

 

[Poker Zombie]

I've been hosting since 2006 or so. Never had a drink spill on the table. We have the slide-under cupholders, that allow you to put your drink right where you want it.

Fears of drinks spilling on the table are largely unfounded. I guess if you live in fear, that's up to you, but spilling drinks when you have a cupholder and the ability to scoot it left, right or center so it isn't in your particular way just does not happen.

Now, I'm not saying it won't happen. I have scotch-guarded my speedcloth just to be safe, and I have a spill towel at the ready (not located in the kitchen, but within an arm's reach of each table.

I'm also old with a bad back. I won't twist all night long to get a drink To me, a drink cart is just something to trip over getting in or out of my seat. The only times we've ever had a spill has been when players have been getting up or down, spilling on the floor.

 

[justsomedude]

I love carts. Your links led me to these...

https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Vin...K8S215YD199&psc=1&refRID=GXSG67R5HK8S215YD199

I may snag one to try it out!

 

[PokerNoob]

I love carts. Your links led me to these...

https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Vin...K8S215YD199&psc=1&refRID=GXSG67R5HK8S215YD199

I may snag one to try it out!

The ones you pointed out were actually my second option. For that kind of price why not try it out? I decided on going with the curved because they match up well aesthetically with my current round table builds. I like your thinking.

 

[bsdunbar1]

I've been hosting since 2006 or so. Never had a drink spill on the table. We have the slide-under cupholders, that allow you to put your drink right where you want it.

Fears of drinks spilling on the table are largely unfounded. I guess if you live in fear, that's up to you, but spilling drinks when you have a cupholder and the ability to scoot it left, right or center so it isn't in your particular way just does not happen.

Now, I'm not saying it won't happen. I have scotch-guarded my speedcloth just to be safe, and I have a spill towel at the ready (not located in the kitchen, but within an arm's reach of each table.

I'm also old with a bad back. I won't twist all night long to get a drink To me, a drink cart is just something to trip over getting in or out of my seat. The only times we've ever had a spill has been when players have been getting up or down, spilling on the floor.

^ What he said^ 100%

 

[Mr. Cheese]

Drink carts are ok. I've made them and used them but I will say I've had those tipped over more then anything else so my next table build will have cup holders in the rails.

 

[PokerNoob]

I've been hosting since 2006 or so. Never had a drink spill on the table. We have the slide-under cupholders, that allow you to put your drink right where you want it.

Fears of drinks spilling on the table are largely unfounded. I guess if you live in fear, that's up to you, but spilling drinks when you have a cupholder and the ability to scoot it left, right or center so it isn't in your particular way just does not happen.

Now, I'm not saying it won't happen. I have scotch-guarded my speedcloth just to be safe, and I have a spill towel at the ready (not located in the kitchen, but within an arm's reach of each table.

I'm also old with a bad back. I won't twist all night long to get a drink To me, a drink cart is just something to trip over getting in or out of my seat. The only times we've ever had a spill has been when players have been getting up or down, spilling on the floor.

All fare points. I suppose I just learned the hard way after hosting for the last 10+ years myself and replacing multiple speed cloth surfaces. I also suppose we use them differently. We have 15-20 people every week playing. Each week we have full meals, everyone sits there and eats on the tables before we play. There are a lot of messy eaters in this group. no changing that. Accidents do happen and they do tend to happen at least once every 2-3 weeks. Not everyone is willing to fess up to their mess, or clean it up entirely. The slide in drink holders are an option. however with a raised 3/4" walnut trimmed rail this would be impossible to accomplish. The way I see it, I'm paying for the drinks so if people aren't willing to turn slightly to the side to retrieve their drinks then so be it, they can always choose not to have a drink. Its just in my decade+ of hundreds of different people coming in to limit any more clean up work than what is necessary.

 

[yone]

I love carts. Your links led me to these...

https://www.amazon.com/SONGMICS-Vin...K8S215YD199&psc=1&refRID=GXSG67R5HK8S215YD199

I may snag one to try it out!

That’s the ones I use. I got 5 of them. I live in an apartment in NYC so my girlfriend is not happy about having carts hanging around. But she uses them all the time for non poker stuff.
I do wish I got jumbos instead of regular. Would be more useful for every day use.

 

[justsomedude]

That’s the ones I use. I got 5 of them. I live in an apartment in NYC so my girlfriend is not happy about having carts hanging around. But she uses them all the time for non poker stuff.
I do wish I got jumbos instead of regular. Would be more useful for every day use. View attachment 247402View attachment 247404

That's it. I'm buying some.

 

[bsdunbar1]

That's it. I'm buying some.

Didn't you have a "How-To" thread on some of these you made???

 

[justsomedude]

Didn't you have a "How-To" thread on some of these you made???

Yup. But I can buy these for the same cost, minus the labor, of making/painting my own.

 

[yone]

All fare points. I suppose I just learned the hard way after hosting for the last 10+ years myself and replacing multiple speed cloth surfaces. I also suppose we use them differently. We have 15-20 people every week playing. Each week we have full meals, everyone sits there and eats on the tables before we play. There are a lot of messy eaters in this group. no changing that. Accidents do happen and they do tend to happen at least once every 2-3 weeks. Not everyone is willing to fess up to their mess, or clean it up entirely. The slide in drink holders are an option. however with a raised 3/4" walnut trimmed rail this would be impossible to accomplish. The way I see it, I'm paying for the drinks so if people aren't willing to turn slightly to the side to retrieve their drinks then so be it, they can always choose not to have a drink. Its just in my decade+ of hundreds of different people coming in to limit any more clean up work than what is necessary.

I also have a raised rail. But regardless, I think the table looks cleaner without cup holders in the rail or drinks cluttering up the surface. No one at my game has a problem with the side tables.

 

[PokerNoob]

That’s the ones I use. I got 5 of them. I live in an apartment in NYC so my girlfriend is not happy about having carts hanging around. But she uses them all the time for non poker stuff.
I do wish I got jumbos instead of regular. Would be more useful for every day use.

Very cool. Exactly what I'm going for. Hope these turn out as nice as those did.

 

[trigs]

I've been fine with cup holders on my table but I'm starting to lean towards drink carts. I think I'll try to pick up a few soon.

 

[yone]

Yup. But I can buy these for the same cost, minus the labor, of making/painting my own.

That thread was awesome! Definitely took me down the road to drilling holes and adding the cup holders. Poker drink carts are way overpriced for what they are.
I think it was you that also influenced me to get the casino dealer buttons. Even though I got them from Roxana at Matsui. Same button, a little bit cheaper.

 

[bsdunbar1]

I think the table looks cleaner without cup holders in the rail

This debate is as old as any. I would never have a table without cup holders but I agree with the above statement.

 

[PokerNoob]

Love the clean look with a less cluttered table.

 

[justsomedude]

Definitely took me down the road to drilling holes and adding the cup holders. Poker drink carts are way overpriced for what they are.

Totally agree. And it's absurd that casinos pay $250-$350 each. What a racket.

I landed on this one for now, because it has the bottom tray for gear/chip storage. I'll also be cutting out for cup holders. Based on the reviews it seems the screws that come with it are the wrong length (or people just used the wrong friggin screws), so I may have to modify the assembly a bit. We'll see.

I'll post up a full review after I get her built.

 

[allforcharity]

Carts are just the next level of classy. Now, having said that, I can see why many/most would not have room to use them, especially with packed tables. Slide under cupholders offer a measure of prevention.

 

[yone]

Totally agree. And it's absurd that casinos pay $250-$350 each. What a racket.

I landed on this one for now, because it has the bottom tray for gear/chip storage. I'll also be cutting out for cup holders. Based on the reviews it seems the screws that come with it are the wrong length (or people just used the wrong friggin screws), so I may have to modify the assembly a bit. We'll see.

View attachment 247426

I'll post up a full review after I get her built.

I do have another need for drink carts at another place. Definitely interested in this one. Not that these tables are super quality for $40, but I was pleasantly surprised with how sturdy the table was. I know the 2 bars in mine are welded together by a flat piece instead of individual posts. Curious to see how this one holds up. I do like the mesh bottom though.

 

[justsomedude]

I do have another need for drink carts at another place. Definitely interested in this one. Not that these tables are super quality for $40, but I was pleasantly surprised with how sturdy the table was. I know the 2 bars in mine are welded together by a flat piece instead of individual posts. Curious to see how this one holds up. I do like the mesh bottom though. View attachment 247449

Quick question... is the top piece solid wood, or is it laminated OSB/MDF type stuff?

I am just wondering what I should expect when I hit it with the hole saw.

I guess if I really screw it up I could just replace the top piece with new lumber.

 

[bsdunbar1]

I guess if I really screw it up I could just replace the top piece with new lumber.

LOL
Once you get to that point let me know and i'll point you to a thread on how to build your own.

 

[yone]

Yeah I’m not sure what it is technically but definitely not solid wood. I’m a city boy with zero woodworking experience or skill.
I thought about sealing it with something, but then I forgot about it completely.

 

[justsomedude]

LOL
Once you get to that point let me know and i'll point you to a thread on how to build your own.

I've literally become a total ninny when it comes to spare time. I have none. And with the little nugget on the way, I'm happy to pay for project completion. 15-minutes to assemble 12 screws is about all I can budget for these days.

Taking a weekend to build a drink cart just isn't in the cards. At least not in the near term. :/

 

[justsomedude]

Yeah I’m not sure what it is technically but definitely not solid wood. I’m a city boy with zero woodworking experience or skill.
I thought about sealing it with something, but then I forgot about it completely.
View attachment 247456

That's a huge help... thank you!

 

[bsdunbar1]

I've literally become a total ninny when it comes to spare time. I have none. And with the little nugget on the way, I'm happy to pay for project completion. 15-minutes to assemble 12 screws is about all I can budget for these days.

Taking a weekend to build a drink cart just isn't in the cards. At least not in the near term. :/

I'm just having fun with you.....

 

[justsomedude]

I'm just having fun with you.....

Nono... I know! But I've just lost loads of spare time over the last 18 months or so. It sucks. I need a vacation. Just hard to do when you're self-employed.

/rant

 

[PokerNoob]

Yeah I’m not sure what it is technically but definitely not solid wood. I’m a city boy with zero woodworking experience or skill.
I thought about sealing it with something, but then I forgot about it completely.

That does help. Only thing i'd do now is maybe cut out a "gasket" for the drop in to sit in so it is slightly quieter and wont leave that scratched circle around the edge. I've got some extra 1/4" rubber flooring laying around that would be perfect for that application.

 

[justsomedude]

That does help. Only thing i'd do now is maybe cut out a "gasket" for the drop in to sit in so it is slightly quieter and wont leave that scratched circle around the edge. I've got some extra 1/4" rubber flooring laying around that would be perfect for that application.

To snug mine up on my custom built cart I used 3/8" foam backer rod. Just jammed it in between the cup-holder and the cutout (from the bottom). Depending on the gap size, 1/4" rod might be better.

 

[yone]

Hmmm. Cutting out circles with precision might be out of my technical capabilities. I will be getting some PlastiDip for my pick and pluck foam case. Will using that help? I foresee disaster in my future.